• 26 Jul
    SIG launch aseptic pack 100% linked to plant-based renewable material

    SIG launch aseptic pack 100% linked to plant-based renewable material

    SIG claims to have developed the world’s first aseptic carton pack with a clear link to 100% plant-based renewable materials.

    The SIGNATURE PACK drives the replacement of conventional plastics from fossil fuels with certified and sustainable plant-based polymer materials. The polymers used for laminating the paperboard and making the spout originate from renewable European wood sources and are certified according to ISCC PLUS (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) or CMS 71 (TÜV SÜD certification standard), respectively, via a mass balance system. This means that for the polymers used in the SIGNATURE PACK, an equivalent amount of bio-based feedstock went into the manufacturing of the polymers.

    Ace Fung, Global Product Manager at SIG Combibloc: “Developing an aseptic carton pack fully linked to renewable plant materials is quite a challenge. Aseptic packages, where the product can be stored without refrigeration over a long period, have higher barrier requirements than chilled packages”.

    Source: SIG Combibloc

    By Caroline Calder News
  • 17 Jul
    THE INTERNATIONAL FRUIT AND VEGETABLE ASSOCIATION (IFU)

    THE INTERNATIONAL FRUIT AND VEGETABLE ASSOCIATION (IFU)

    IFU METHOD NO 8 – SOLUBLE SOLUTIONS. REVISED AND UPDATED

    One of the most common tests conducted in the juice manufacturing industry is the measurement of soluble solids by refractometry. It is not only used for the assessment of a quality parameter but it is also commercially important where used in yield assessment. The IFU method number 8 describes this method. The principle is that the dry soluble solids content of a sample is estimated from its refractive index, with reference to the refractive index of a pure sugar solution. The refractive index is proportional to the solution concentration (following the theory of Lorentz and Lorenz). In fruit juices the refractive index is therefore dependent upon sugar concentration and also upon the concentration of other soluble materials (organic acids, minerals, amino acids etc.).

    The method has been recently revised to include a weight per litre table. The correction of soluble solids for malic/tartaric acid and salt is still under discussion but will be available in the near future. The method can be obtained via the IFU website www.ifu-fruitjuice.com.

    ANUGA FOODTEC AND IFU PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCED

    Anuga FoodTec and the IFU have agreed on an extensive partnership. The agreement includes a package of measures encompassing both communicative aspects as well as an increased presence at Anuga FoodTec 2018. The aim of the cooperation is to offer representatives from the fruit juice industry a platform and to create added value at the leading supplier trade fair for the food and beverage industry in Cologne.

    One of the aims of the partnership is the inclusion of a technical workshop by the IFU at Anuga FoodTec 2018 branded “For the Juice Industry. From the Industry Experts.” The technical workshop will offer a forum for up to 20 presentations by leading companies, laboratories and research institutes. Senior technical, quality and R&D managers and employees will get the chance to work with each other and exchange ideas at the workshop . Workshop themes will include production, microbiology, quality and CSR.

    As part of the deal the IFU will be represented with an exhibition stand at Anuga FoodTec in Cologne and Anuga FoodTec will also be present at selected events of the IFU. In terms of communications, the partners will support each other via the respective channels in the form of a mutual content exchange as well as carrying out sponsoring campaigns of individual formats.

    Anuga FoodTec (20th to 23rd March 2018) is one the world’s leading trade fairs for the food and beverage industry. The cooperation with the IFU particularly builds a further bridge to the beverage industry.

     

    SGF AND IFU ROAD SHOWS

    Japan

    The IFU and the SGF have been invited to participate in the Japan Fruit Juice Associations (JFJA) festivities to celebrate 60 years of the fruit juice industry in Japan. The SGF IFU Roadshow will be included in their seminar as follows:

    Date: September 15th, 2017 from 10:00 to 17:00. Registration begins at 09:30. Lunch Break 11:45 – 12:40. The venue for the conference is the Yakult Hall (Yakult Head Office building). Address: 1-1-19 Higashi-Shinbashi, Nimato-Ku, 105-8660 Tokyo. The venue for the social gathering will be the Beer Hall in Ginza, Tokyo. Participation is possible by invitation and details are available from maria@ifu-fruitjuice.com who is liaising with the JFJA.

    UAE

    The SGF IFU Asia Roadshow is included in the Arab Beverages Conference & Exhibition ABCE 2017 on October 29th and 30th in Dubai, UAE. Registration is free of charge and more information can be found at http://abce.me

    By Caroline Calder Association News
  • 17 Jul
    British Fruit Juice Association (BFJA)

    British Fruit Juice Association (BFJA)

    Sustainability was the hot topic at this year’s BFJA annual symposium

    The middle of June in the UK always sees Royal Ascot and the British Fruit Juice Association (BFJA) Annual Symposium. This year was no different. More than 80 luminaries from the fruit and vegetable juice industry in the UK and beyond came together at the Innholder’s Hall in London to discuss the most pressing industry issues.

    Sustainability

    Sustainability was the hot topic on this year’s agenda. It has long been in the interests of all businesses to ensure that they can do better from a sustainability point of view – be that in the sense of working conditions, environmental and supply chain practices or even the overall future growth and stability of the business.

    From the perspective of fruit juice, it also includes new product development for better nutrition.  Piet Haasen, Senior Innovation Manager at Friesland Campina Riedel explained to delegates: “We have a clear plan of action on sustainability across our business. This includes the reduction of sugar in its products in drinks that have added sugar (by 20-40%), a reduction in the use of plastic and an overall improvement of conditions for farmers”.

    Sugar consumption

    The aims of Friesland Campina Riedel dovetail nicely into plans that Public Health England is putting together for sugar reduction targets across a number of different food and drink categories, including fruit and vegetable juices. Dr Alison Tedstone informed the symposium that according to SACN (Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition), sugar consumption increases energy intake and is also associated with an increased risk of tooth decay. When this is added to the obesity crisis in the UK, it is necessary to make moderations to our diets. Public Health England is committed to a collaborative approach and working with industry to reduce sugar in products by 20% by 2020 and 5% by August 2017.

    “These targets will be tough for fruit juice, which is simply fruit juiced,” stated Gaynor Ferrari, Campaign Director for a pan-European campaign extolling the health benefits of drinking pure fruit juice. Gaynor reported back on the progress of the campaign, Fruit Juice Matters, which is run under the auspices of the European Fruit Juice Association (AIJN) and focuses on science and education, to ensure that people are not put off drinking fruit juice and that they understand the benefits, including vitamin C, micronutrients and folates.

    The next 12 months

    Rounding up the symposium, members of the BFJA reviewed progress on the significant changes that the Association is undergoing at the moment, with committee changes and a new national secretary. The BFJA It is reaching out for new members and working with sister organisations very closely, including the British Soft Drinks Association. Interesting and dynamic times lay ahead.

     

    By Caroline Calder Association News
  • 17 Jul
    ROUND-UP

    ROUND-UP

    Forecast on Brazil’s 2017/18 crop (USDA)

    The commercial area of the state of Sao Paulo and the western part of Minas Gerais should produce 364.5 million boxes, up 49% from the previous crop (245.3 million boxes). This projection is based on the Defence Fund for Citriculture’s (Fundecitrus) first citrus crop forecast, released on 10 May 2017.

    Total Brazilian FCOJ (65 brix equivalent) production for 2017/18 is forecast at 1.257 million tonnes, up 447 000 tonnes compared with 2016/17, due to higher expected fruit availability for crushing. The Sao Paulo industry is expected to process 320 million boxes for juice production (255 million boxes for FCOJ and 65 million boxes for NFC OJ). This would result in 1.172 million tonnes of juice (920 000 tonnes of FCOJ and 252 000 tonnes of NFC OJ). Other producing states should deliver 20 million boxes for processing.

    Total Brazilian FCOJ exports for 2017/18 are forecast at 1.143 million tonnes, up 248 000 tonnes from 2016/17 (895 000 tonnes), due to the expected higher volumes available. The Sao Paulo industry should contribute 840 000 tonnes of FCOJ. These figures include NFC OJ production converted to FCOJ (65 brix equivalent).

    The USDA forecasts ending stocks for 2017/18 at 100 000 tonnes (65 brix) up 74 000 tonnes from 2016/17. The USDA figures only include stocks in Brazil. CitrusBR forecasts stocks at 200 000-300 000 tonnes on 30 June 2018. CitrusBR global inventories include orange juice in storage tanks at processing plants and port terminals in Brazil and stocks abroad (vessels and port facilities worldwide).

    Brazil – Orange juice (65 brix) – Production, supply and demand  

    Tonnes 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18
    Delivered to processors 11506000 9058000 13872000
    Beginning stocks 329000 147000 24000
    Production 1006000 810000 1257000
    Exports 1153000 895000 1143000
    Domestic consumption 35000 38000 38000
    Ending stocks 147000 24000 100000

     Orange juice update – EU-28 (USDA)

    Orange juice production in 2016/17 is forecast at 101 941 tonnes (65 brix). Orange juice consumption is forecast to be stable at 826 941 tonnes.

    EU-28 is a net importer of orange juice, heavily dependent on third countries to reach the EU-28 orange juice demand. Brazil continues to be the main supplier of orange juice to the EU with around 90% of total imports. In 2015/16 the EU-28 imported 777 825 tonnes of orange juice.

    European Union – Orange juice (65 brix) – Production, supply and demand 

    Tonnes 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17
    Delivered to processors 1251000 1286000 1315000
    Beginning stocks 15000 15000 15000
    Production 96980 99963 101941
    Exports 49870 52049 50000
    Domestic consumption 936771 825468 826941
    Ending stocks 15000 15000 15000

    Argentina – Lemon (USDA)

    Lemon production for 2016/17 is expected to decrease to 1.27 million tonnes from 1.35 million tonnes the year before, due to a late frost, high temperatures and excess rain.

    Fresh lemon production in 2015/16 was also negatively impacted by rains towards the end of summer, which delayed the harvest about a month.

    Fresh lemon for processing in 2016/17 is estimated at 980 000 tonnes against 1.003 million tonnes the year before.

    Following the practice carried out in the past few years, relatively high volumes of fruit are being devoted for processing as a result of the decision made by the industry to export only fresh lemons meeting higher quality standards, thus restricting the export supply and preventing a steep decrease of international prices. This market strategy is working very well and is expected to continue.

    South Africa – Orange juice (USDA)

    The USDA estimates that production of orange juice in South Africa will increase by 18% to 22 717 tonnes in 2016/17, from 19 317 tonnes in 2015/16.

    Domestic consumption is expected to increase by 3% to 6 200 tonnes in 2016/17. The relatively high food price inflation has resulted in restricted growth in the domestic consumption of fresh fruit juices, especially in 100% fruit juice, and a shift in demand to orange juice from concentrates.

    Exports of orange juice in 2016/17 are predicted to decrease by 39% to 21 160 tonnes from 34 742 tonnes the year before. This is attributed to the available production, lower opening stocks, lower year-to-date exports up to April 2017 and USDA estimates for the remainder of the season.

    Producers in South Africa prefer to export fresh oranges rather than to sell to processors as export prices are eight times higher than prices achieved from processors. Netherlands, Botswana, Mozambique, Mauritius, Zambia and Zimbabwe, are the biggest markets for South African orange juice exports.

    South Africa – Orange juice (65 brix) – Production, supply and demand 

    Tonnes 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17
    Delivered to processors 403000 142000 167000
    Beginning stocks 25086 29003 8679
    Production 54821 19317 22717
    Exports 4548 34742 21160
    Domestic consumption 6800 6000 6200
    Ending stocks 29003 8679 12636

    New Zealand – Apple and pears (USDA)

    Processing volumes of apples in New Zealand for 2016/17 are forecast at 123 000 tonnes, a 12.8% reduction over 2015/16. This is a 14% revision down from the USDA’s initial forecast due to a higher percentage of the crop expected to make export grade.

    Apple processing volumes are estimated at 141 087 MT for 2015/16, 12.4% below 2014/15.

    The volume of pears going to the processing sector is estimated at 2 000 tonnes for 2016/17 – 200 tonnes higher than in 2015/16.

    By Caroline Calder Trade Data
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